Siderail accessory module

ABSTRACT

A siderail assembly comprises a siderail and a removable module. The siderail has a siderail body and a grip portion. The grip portion includes a grip and a grip opening located between the grip and the siderail body. The removable module is removably coupled to the siderail such that the removable module is positionable substantially within the grip opening. The removable module includes a gas blower configured to direct a flow of gas at least one of toward and away from a person-support apparatus.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

This disclosure relates generally to person-support apparatuses. Moreparticularly, but not exclusively, one illustrative embodiment relatesto a person-support apparatus including a siderail with a removable gasblower module coupled to the siderail.

Sometimes it is desirable to move air surrounding patient toward and/oraway from a person-support apparatus. While various person-supportapparatuses have been developed, there is still room for development.Thus a need persists for further contributions in this area oftechnology.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure includes one or more of the features recited inthe appended claims and/or the following features which, alone or in anycombination, may comprise patentable subject matter.

One illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure can include asiderail assembly with an accessory module removably couplable theretohaving a gas blower configured to direct flow of a gas at least one oftoward and away from a person-support apparatus.

Additional features alone or in combination with any other feature(s),including those listed above and those listed in the claims and thosedescribed in detail below, can comprise patentable subject matter.Others will become apparent to those skilled in the art uponconsideration of the following detailed description of illustrativeembodiments exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the invention aspresently perceived.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now to the illustrative examples in the drawings, wherein likenumerals represent the same or similar elements throughout:

FIG. 1 is a perspective side view of a person-support apparatus with anaccessory module coupled to a siderail according to one illustrativeembodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective side view of the accessory module of FIG. 1coupled to the siderail and directing air toward the person-supportapparatus;

FIG. 3 is a perspective front view of the accessory module of FIG. 1partially cut away to show the gas blower therein; and

FIG. 4 is a side view of the accessory module of FIG. 1 showing thecoupling portion of the housing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

While the present disclosure can take many different forms, for thepurpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of thedisclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated inthe drawings, and specific language will be used to describe the same.No limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended.Various alterations, further modifications of the described embodiments,and any further applications of the principles of the disclosure, asdescribed herein, are contemplated.

One illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure can include asiderail assembly with an accessory module removably couplable theretohaving a gas blower configured to direct flow of a gas at least one oftoward and away from a person-support apparatus.

A person-support apparatus 10 according to one illustrative embodimentof the current disclosure is shown in FIG. 1. The person-supportapparatus 10 can have a first section F1 or head support section F1,where the head of a person can be positioned and a second section S1 ora foot support section S1, where the feet of the person can bepositioned. In one illustrative embodiment, the person-support apparatus10 can be a hospital bed. It should be appreciated that theperson-support apparatus 10 can also be a hospital stretcher or anoperating table. The person-support apparatus 10 can include a lowerframe 12 or base 12, a plurality of supports 14 coupled with the lowerframe 12, and an upper frame 16 supported on the supports 14 above thelower frame 12. It should be appreciated that the supports 14 can belift mechanisms 14 that can move the upper frame 16 with respect to thelower frame 12. It should also be appreciated that in one illustrativeembodiment the person-support apparatus 10 can support a person-supportsurface 18 on the upper frame 16.

The upper frame 16 can include an intermediate frame 20, a deck 22, andsiderails 24 as shown in FIG. 1. It should be appreciated that the upperframe 16 can also include endboard EB1, such as, for example, aheadboard HB1 and/or a footboard FB1, coupled to the first section F1and/or the second section S1 of the person-support apparatus 10. Theintermediate frame 20 can be coupled to the supports 14 and can supportthe deck 22 thereon as shown in FIG. 1. The deck 22 can include a headportion 26, a seat portion 28, and a foot portion 30. The head portion26, the seat portion 28, and the foot portion 30 can be movably coupledwith each other and/or the intermediate frame 20.

The siderails 24 can include a siderail body 32 with a top portion ST1and a bottom portion SB1, and a siderail linkage 34 as shown in FIGS. 1and 2. It should be appreciated that the siderail 24 can include acaregiver interface (not shown) that can be operable to control variousfunctionalities of the person-support apparatus 10. The siderail linkage34 can be coupled to the bottom portion SB1 of the siderail body 32 andcan couple the siderails 24 to the deck 22 and/or the intermediate frame20. In one illustrative embodiment, the siderails 24 can be coupled tothe head portion 26 of the deck 22 (i.e., a first siderail 24 a or ahead siderail 24 a) and/or coupled to the foot portion 30 of the deck 22and/or the intermediate frame 20 (i.e., a second siderail 24 b or a footsiderail 24 b) as shown in FIG. 1.

The siderail linkage 34 can be configured to facilitate movement of thesiderails 24 between a deployed/operation position and a storageposition. In the deployed/operation position, as shown in FIG. 1, atleast a portion of the siderails 24 can be present above the upper frame16. In the storage position, the siderails 24 can be moved to a lowerposition where at least a portion of the siderail 24 is below thedeployed/operation position. It should be appreciated that the sideraillinkage 34 can include a locking mechanism (not shown) that can maintainthe siderails 24 in one of the operating and/or storage position whenlocked and can facilitate movement of the siderails 24 between theoperating and storage position when unlocked.

The siderail body 32 can include a first surface 36, a second surface38, a side surface 40 extending between the first surface 36 and thesecond surface 38, and a grip portion 42 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Atleast a portion of the first surface 36 can be substantially parallel toat least a portion of the second surface 38. The first surface 36 can beoriented such that the first surface 36 faces toward the upper frame 16and the second surface 38 can be oriented such that the second surface38 faces away from the upper frame 16.

The grip portion 42 can be configured to be gripped by a person toassist the person with ingress/egress to/from the person supportapparatus 10 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. In one illustrative embodiment,the grip portion 42 can be located along the top portion ST1 and caninclude a grip 44 and a grip opening 46. The grip opening 46 can passthrough the siderail body 32 and can be configured to allow a person towrap at least a portion of their fingers/hand around the grip 44. In oneillustrative embodiment, an upper portion of the grip opening 46 candefine the bottom of the grip 44 and a lower portion of the grip opening46 opposite the upper portion of the grip opening 46 can define aportion of the upper side surface 40 a.

The siderails 24 can include an accessory module 48 or a removablemodule 48 that can be configured to be positionable within the gripopening 46 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. It should be appreciated that theaccessory module 48 can be removably coupled to at least one endboardEB1. The accessory module 48 can include a housing 50 and a gas blower52 coupled to the housing 50 as shown in FIGS. 2-4. It should beappreciated that the accessory module 48 can include a heating/coolingelement (not shown) configured to heat/cool the air expelled by the gasblower 52. It should also be appreciated that the accessory module 48can include a user interface (not shown) configured toactivate/deactivate and/or control the speed of the gas blower 52,and/or control the temperature of the gas emitted by the gas blower 52.It should also be appreciated that the accessory module 48 can include ahumidity control element (not shown) that can control the humidity inthe gas emitted by the gas blower 52. It should also be appreciated thatthe accessory module 48 can include an air filter.

The housing 50 can be formed of a polymeric material and can beremovably coupled to the person-support apparatus 10 through a connector(not shown). The housing 50 can have a front portion FP1 and a couplingportion CP1 as shown in FIG. 5. The thickness of the coupling portionCP1 can be equal to about the thickness of the grip 44 so that it canfit into the grip 44. In one illustrative embodiment, the front portionFP1 can be removably coupled to the coupling portion CP1. It should beappreciated that the front portion FP1 can be molded with the couplingportion CP1 or secured to the coupling portion CP1.

The coupling portion CP1 can include a retainer 54 and engagementsurfaces 56 as shown in FIG. 4. In one illustrative embodiment, theretainer 54 can be a spring actuated mechanism that can be slidably orpivotably coupled to the housing 50 and movable relative to the housing50 between extended and depressed or compressed positions. In anotherillustrative embodiment, the accessory module 48 can be configured to bepress-fit or snapped into the grip opening 46. In yet anotherembodiment, the retainer 54 can be a flexible tab (not shown) that canbe deflected when inserting the housing 50 into the grip opening 46 andreturn to a substantially non-deflected state to provide a snap fit andcouple the accessory module 48 within the grip opening 46. In stillother embodiments, the accessory module 48 can be coupled to thesiderails 24 and/or the end boards EB1 with hangers, hooks, clamps,fasteners (not shown), such as, screws, interlocking members, or otherfastening elements. It should be appreciated that the accessory module48 can be removed by pushing or pulling the accessory module 48 in theopposite direction from which it was press-fit or snapped in. It shouldalso be appreciated that the accessory module 48 can be configured tocouple to at least one end board EB1. It should also be appreciated thatthe accessory module 48 can be generally rectangular shaped. It shouldalso be appreciated that the accessory module 48 can have antimicrobialproperties.

The gas blower 52 can be configured to direct a flow of gas at least oneof toward and away from the person-support apparatus 10 as shown in FIG.2. It should be appreciated that the gas blower can include a nozzle(not shown) that can be used to aim the flow of gas and/or focus/unfocusthe flow of gas. In one illustrative embodiment, the gas blower 52 canbe an electric fan 52. The gas blower 52 can be configured to provide afresh air to a person supported on the person-support apparatus 10. Inone illustrative embodiment, the gas blower 52 can be powered by theperson-support apparatus 10 through a power cable 58 connected to adata/power port (not shown) on the person-support apparatus 10. Inanother illustrative embodiment, the gas blower 52 can be poweredwirelessly, such as, for example, through an inductive power arrangement(not shown) with one part of the inductive power circuit is in theaccessory module 48 and the other part of the circuit is in thesiderails 24. In still another illustrative embodiment, the gas blower52 can be powered by a power supply (not shown), such as, for example, abattery, positioned within the housing 50.

Many other embodiments of the present disclosure are also envisioned.For example, a person-support apparatus comprises a frame, at least oneof an endboard and a siderail, and a removable module. The at least oneof the enboard and the siderail is coupled to the frame. The at leastone of the enboard and the siderail includes an outer perimeter surfacedefining a perimeter of the at least one of the endboard and thesiderail and an inner surface defining an opening in the at least one ofthe endboard and the siderail. The removable module includes a housingand a gas blower. The housing includes a first surface, a secondsurface, and a side surface extending between the first surface and thesecond surface. A portion of the housing is configured to engage theinner surface of the at least one of the endboard and the siderail tocouple the removable module to the at least one of the endboard and thesiderail. The gas blower is coupled within the housing and configured todirect a flow of gas at least one of toward and away from theperson-support apparatus.

In another example, a siderail assembly comprises a siderail and aremovable module. The siderail has a siderail body and a grip portion.The grip portion includes a grip and a grip opening located between thegrip and the siderail body. The removable module is removably coupled tothe siderail such that the removable module is positionablesubstantially within the grip opening. The removable module includes agas blower configured to direct a flow of gas at least one of toward andaway from a person-support apparatus.

In yet another example, an endboard assembly comprises an endboard and aremovable module. The endboard has a endboard body and a grip portion.The grip portion includes a grip and a grip opening located between thegrip and the endboard body. The removable module is removably coupled tothe endboard such that the removable module is positionablesubstantially within the grip opening. The removable module includes agas blower configured to direct a flow of gas at least one of toward andaway from a person-support apparatus.

Any theory, mechanism of operation, proof, or finding stated herein ismeant to further enhance understanding of principles of the presentdisclosure and is not intended to make the present disclosure in any waydependent upon such theory, mechanism of operation, illustrativeembodiment, proof, or finding. It should be understood that while theuse of the word preferable, preferably or preferred in the descriptionabove indicates that the feature so described can be more desirable, itnonetheless can not be necessary and embodiments lacking the same can becontemplated as within the scope of the disclosure, that scope beingdefined by the claims that follow.

In reading the claims it is intended that when words such as “a,” “an,”“at least one,” “at least a portion” are used there is no intention tolimit the claim to only one item unless specifically stated to thecontrary in the claim. When the language “at least a portion” and/or “aportion” is used the item can include a portion and/or the entire itemunless specifically stated to the contrary.

It should be understood that only selected embodiments have been shownand described and that all possible alternatives, modifications,aspects, combinations, principles, variations, and equivalents that comewithin the spirit of the disclosure as defined herein or by any of thefollowing claims are desired to be protected. While embodiments of thedisclosure have been illustrated and described in detail in the drawingsand foregoing description, the same are to be considered as illustrativeand not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to theprecise forms disclosed. Additional alternatives, modifications andvariations can be apparent to those skilled in the art. Also, whilemultiple inventive aspects and principles can have been presented, theyneed not be utilized in combination, and various combinations ofinventive aspects and principles are possible in light of the variousembodiments provided above.

1. A person-support apparatus, comprising: a frame; at least one of anendboard and a siderail coupled to the frame, at least one of theenboard and the siderail including an outer perimeter surface defining aperimeter of the at least one of the endboard and the siderail and aninner surface defining an opening in the at least one of the endboardand the siderail; a removable module including: a housing including afirst surface, a second surface, and a side surface extending betweenthe first surface and the second surface, a portion of the housing beingconfigured to engage the inner surface of the at least one of theendboard and the siderail to couple the removable module to the at leastone of the endboard and the siderail; and a gas blower coupled withinthe housing and configured to direct a flow of gas at least one oftoward and away from the person-support apparatus.
 2. The person-supportapparatus of claim 1, wherein the overall thickness of the at least oneof the endboard and the siderail when the removable module is coupled tothe at least one of the endboard and the siderail is less than aboutthree inches.
 3. The person-support apparatus of claim 1, wherein theportion of the housing configured to engage the inner surface includes aretainer and an engagement surface, the retainer and the engagementsurface being configured to cooperate with the inner surface of the atleast one of the endboard and the siderail to couple the removablemodule thereto.
 4. The person-support apparatus of claim 3, wherein theretainer provides an interference fit to couple the removable module tothe at least one of the endboard and the siderail.
 5. The person-supportapparatus of claim 3, wherein a portion of the inner surface cooperateswith a portion of the outer perimeter surface to define a grip, aportion of the engagement surface is shaped to conform to the contour ofa portion of the grip.
 6. The person-support apparatus of claim 1further comprising a temperature adjusting element configured to atleast one of heat and cool the gas emitted by the gas blower.
 7. Theperson-support apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a humidityelement configured to adjust the humidity in the gas emitted by the gasblower.
 8. The person-support apparatus of claim 1 further comprising auser interface configured to receive an input from a user to control atleast one function of at least one of the removable module and theperson-support apparatus.
 9. The person-support apparatus of claim 8,wherein the user interface is configured to control the rate at whichgas is emitted from the gas blower.
 10. The person-support apparatus ofclaim 8, wherein the user interface is configured to control at leastone of a temperature adjusting element and a humidity element to atleast one of heat, cool, and adjust the humidity of the gas emitted fromthe gas blower.
 11. The person-support apparatus of claim 1 furthercomprising a filter coupled within the removable module and configuredto remove impurities suspended in the gas emitted by the gas blower. 12.The person-support apparatus of claim 1, wherein the removable module isconfigured to be inserted into the opening and engage a portion of theinner surface to removably couple the removable module to the at leastone of the endboard and the siderail such that the removable module ispositionable substantially within the opening.
 13. The person-supportapparatus of claim 1, wherein the housing includes a coupling portionwith a hanger configured to engage a portion of the outer perimetersurface such that the removable module is positionable substantiallywithin the opening.
 14. A siderail assembly, comprising: a siderailhaving a siderail body and a grip portion, the grip portion including agrip and a grip opening located between the grip and the siderail body,and a removable module removably coupled to the siderail such that theremovable module is positionable substantially within the grip opening,the removable module including a gas blower configured to direct a flowof gas at least one of toward and away from a person-support apparatus.15. The siderail assembly of claim 14, wherein the overall thickness ofthe siderail when the removable module is coupled to the siderail isless than about three inches.
 16. The siderail assembly of claim 14,wherein the removable module includes a retainer and an engagementsurface, wherein at least one of the retainer and the engagement surfacecooperate with a portion of the grip portion and the siderail body tocouple the removable module to the siderail.
 17. The siderail assemblyof claim 16, wherein the retainer provides an interference fit to couplethe removable module to the siderail.
 18. The siderail assembly of claim16, wherein a portion of the engagement surface is shaped to conform tothe contour of a portion of the grip.
 19. The siderail assembly of claim14 further comprising a temperature adjusting element configured to atleast one of heat and cool the gas emitted by the gas blower.
 20. Thesiderail assembly of claim 14 further comprising a humidity elementconfigured to adjust the humidity in the gas emitted by the gas blower.21. The siderail assembly of claim 14 further comprising a userinterface configured to receive an input from a user to control at leastone function of at least one of the removable module and theperson-support apparatus.
 22. The siderail assembly of claim 21, whereinthe user interface is configured to control the rate at which gas isemitted from the gas blower.
 23. The siderail assembly of claim 21,wherein the user interface is configured to control at least one of atemperature adjusting element and a humidity element to at least one ofheat, cool, and adjust the humidity of the gas emitted from the gasblower.
 24. The siderail assembly of claim 14 further comprising afilter coupled within the removable module and configured to removeimpurities suspended in the gas emitted by the gas blower.
 25. Anendboard assembly, comprising: an endboard having an endboard body and agrip portion, the grip portion including a grip and a grip openinglocated between the grip and the endboard body, and a removable moduleremovably coupled to the endboard such that the removable module ispositionable substantially within the grip opening, the removable moduleincluding a gas blower configured to direct a flow of gas at least oneof toward and away from a person-support apparatus.
 26. Theperson-support apparatus of claim 25, wherein the removable moduleincludes a housing with a coupling portion having a retainer and anengagement surface, the retainer and the engagement surface beingconfigured to cooperate with at least one of the endboard body and gripportion to removably couple the removable module thereto.
 27. Theperson-support apparatus of claim 25 further comprising a temperatureadjusting element configured to at least one of heat and cool the gasemitted by the gas blower.
 28. The person-support apparatus of claim 1further comprising a user interface configured to receive an input froma user to control at least one function of at least one of the removablemodule and the person-support apparatus.
 29. The person-supportapparatus of claim 1, wherein the removable module is configured to beinserted into the grip opening and engage a portion of at least one ofthe endboard body and grip portion to removably couple the removablemodule to the endboard such that the removable module is positionablesubstantially within the grip opening.